Red Hook specialists

More about Red Hook

It was settled by Dutch colonists in 1636, who named the area for its red clay soil. The area had somewhat of a tumultuous past, being used as the setting for Fort Defiance during the Battle of Brooklyn during 1776. The fort protected the water from British invaders and played a crucial role in the formation of early America. Red Hook’s Atlantic Basin was a significant port in the 1840s, which meant that trade was an essential contributor to the area’s economy. Red Hook’s somewhat gritty reputation remains in the past now, with more attention and investment going into this Brooklyn neighborhood.

Nowadays, this area is growing more attractive to young couples and Brooklyn families due to the influx of stores, events and housing opportunities. The Red Hook Waterfront Arts Festival is held at the start of each summer, showcasing dance, music and poetry performances. The Red Hook Crit, a bike race, is also becoming increasingly popular. Dozens of books and films are set in, or mention, Red Hook, including On the Waterfront, Red Hook Summer and Last Exit to Brooklyn. Notable residents include H. P. Lovecraft, Matty Rich, Michael Shannon and Busta Rhymes.

The closest subway stations include Carroll Street and Smith-9th Street on the F and G lines, although Red Hook residents will find that taking buses around the neighborhood is more convenient. The New York Water Taxi and Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel provide fast access to Manhattan. The spaciousness of this riverside territory has also attracted a large IKEA to set up shop here – which means that furnishing your new Red Hook apartment couldn’t be easier.